GREEN BAY (NBC26) — As people get ready to cheer on the green and gold for Saturday's playoff game, Packers officials are preparing for what's expected to be the most highly attended home game of the season.
"The last four home games, we've had fans starting with about 250 and moving up to, I believe we had about 1,000 at our last game," said Aaron Popkey, director of public affairs with the Green Bay Packers. "Tomorrow we hope to have over 8,000."
Season ticket holders will make up the majority of that number, accounting for about 6,500 tickets. Others expected to attend the playoff game at Lambeau Field include fans from the visiting team, friends and family of coaches and players and frontline workers, including military members.
"We're glad to have them back and recognize everything they've been doing through the course of this pandemic," Popkey said.
Safety protocols will look similar to the last home game at Lambeau. Fans will sit in pods of two, four or six to allow more space between parties. People are required to wear face masks and stay socially distanced. Sanitation stations are placed around the concourse.
All fans will watch the game outside. No indoor or outdoor club suites will be open.
"We feel that the protocols have worked well for us. We've been in constant communication with local health officials. They've been very supportive of the protocols," said Mark Murphy, president & CEO of the Green Bay Packers, during a "Virtual Pep Rally" hosted by Packers Everywhere Friday.
Lights strung on trees in downtown Green Bay reflect the green and gold spirit of a highly anticipated playoff game during an unusual year.
It's an excitement Murphy said he feels as the team sees more fans in the stands.
"Even when we had the 1,000 fans, just under 1,000 for the Tennessee game, it makes a difference. I think having 8,000 fans will really be beneficial to us," Murphy said during the virtual pep rally. "If you had said to me a year ago, 'if we have 8,000 fans I'm going to feel like it's a big crowd.' I would've said, 'you're crazy.' But that's what it feels like in 2020.
Popkey said they've noticed some people are trying to sell playoff tickets online. He said those tickets aren't transferable and can't be resold due to specific conditions on the ticket. Popkey said people shouldn't engage in buying these tickets.
